Tours - Ghana West Coast

Tours

COMMUNICATE WITH NATURE – Forest Trails and Wildlife Viewing
Contact the local Town Tourism Development Committee for registration. A guide will take you on a hiking trip along the scenic coastal paths, where you can spoil your eyes and soul on nature’s pristine secrets, including the picturesque scenery and landscapes. Alternatively, take a walking tour into the Cape Three Points Forest Reserve to explore the rich biodiversity of the lush green tropical rain forest. If the trip is in the early hours of the morning or late in the evening when most animals feed, you might have a chance of viewing monkeys and other animals. You can also choose a route through the rubber plantation and experience the extraction of latex from the trees, before venturing into the bamboo forest, crossing over streams and marshy areas, on the locally constructed bamboo bridges. Your tour can end at the fishing settlement of Dixcove, where you can visit Fort Metal Cross and see the picturesque harbour dotted with colourful fishing boats. You can also hire a bike for a trip on the 10 km road to Dixcove.

CRUISE ON THE WATER AND ESCAPE INTO THE WILD – Canoe trip on the Ezile Lagoon
Experience the cruise on the Ezile Lagoon, and escape to the wild side of nature. With trained guides, take a dugout canoe and ride through the mangroves of the Ezile Lagoon, and marvel at the fascinating eco-system, prolific with bird and butterfly life. There is also a chance of viewing monkeys. This trip, which ranges between one and three hours, provides the opportunity to try your hands on self-paddling or engage in hook fishing. There is also the opportunity to sample fresh palm wine in a local calabash and see a variety of farms.

HISTORIC AND CULTURAL TOUR– Trip to ruins of Fort Dorothea and the Akwidaa Fishing Village
Register with the Town Tourism Development Committee members, who will organize a guided trip along the shallow banks of the Ezile River to the rocky peninsula at the Southernmost tip of the Old Akwidaa settlement. Follow the winding trails to the ruins of Fort Dorothea, constructed in 1687 by the Brandenburg African Company as a trading post.

Fort Dorothea was a small triangular building situated on a promontory at the end of a peninsula between the mouth of the Ezile River and the sea. The fort therefore had natural protection from attacks. You can explore the peninsula, after which you can immerse yourself in the local culture and learn more about the history and traditions of Akwidaa. Your guide will give you a tour of Akwidaa fishing village. Visit the village schools and arrange to meet the Chief at the palace. Alternately, you can walk to a home and test your stamina by pounding fufu.

On most weekends you may chance upon traditional practices like marriage ceremonies, naming ceremonies and funerals. Between July and November, you may also chance upon the celebration of the Kundum Festival and its colourful Durbar of Chiefs.

SPORT FISHING AND EXPEDITION – Fishing expedition with Local Fisherfolk
Join the local fishermen to go fishing. Except on Tuesdays, when tradition forbids fishermen to go to sea, local experienced fishermen using dugout canoes and outboard motors go on fishing expeditions daily. An arrangement could be made for interested visitors to join the fisherfolk.

BEACH RECREATION AND RELAXTION – Beach Sports for Unwinding
The beach on both sides of Old Akwidaa is suitable for recreation and relaxation. At the beach lodges, you can engage in volleyball, soccer, and other beach games. Beach lovers who like to take a rest can relax or top up the tan on the deserted beach.

Another exciting feature along the beach is that during the nesting season between October and March, it is possible to see endangered marine turtles nesting on Akwidaa beach.

SATISFY YOUR CULTURAL CURIOSITY – Local Livelihood Activities
Special interest visitors are invited to satisfy their cultural curiosity by visiting areas and farms where the local people engage in traditional livelihood activities on a daily basis. You can visit a farm to observe traditional farming methods and practices, and you can also experience firsthand, the processes for tapping palm wine, extracting coconut and palm oil, making traditional soap, or producing handicrafts. If you would like to, your tour guide can arrange for you get some hands-on experience in these processes!
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AXIM

BOBOEWUSI ISLAND – Ride the Waves, and Tour the Lighthouse
Take an adventurous cruise in a dugout canoe with outboard motor, riding the waves to the exciting Boboewusi Island. At the island, explore the lighthouse, which is a historic monument owned and operated by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, to direct ships on the sea. Climb to the top of the lighthouse, and discover the fantastic view of the countryside and long stretches of sandy beach. You will also explore the exuberance of the Axim township from a distance. Before settling for a picnic, may sure you take a walk on the rocky beach around the island!

TOUR OF ANCIENT FORT SAN ANTONIO AND VIEWS OF COLONIAL-ERA BUILDINGS OF AXIM

Register for this tour with the Axim Town Tourism Development Committee or the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board caretaker located in Fort San Antonio. Perched on a small promontory close to the mouth of River Ankobra, Fort San Antonio is Axim’s main tourist attraction, constructed by the Portuguese in 1515 as the second oldest fortress after Elmina Castle.

After your tour of the Fort, come out to observe the magnificent views of the colonial-era buildings of Axim township. The significant features include the popular Beachcomber Bar, the old buildings of the former Public Works Department, the dilapidated Paa Grant House, the old police station, the car park and the old multi-storey ‘Hwe na ampori’ building belonging to an old merchant of Axim. From here, you can learn the history of the settlement and the people of Axim. History has it that Axim was a major port for the export of mainly timber products and gold. Many commercial companies established their offices in Axim and engaged in brisk commercial activities. Axim however lost its glamour when the Takoradi and later the Tema harbours were constructed.

WALKING TOURS OF AXIM AND VISIT TO THE VILLAGE BEYOND AWUNAKROM
These thirty-minute, one-hour and two-hour walking tours of both the Upper and Lower Townships of Axim are based on Axim’s outstanding landmarks and features, which tell the history of the old settlement. Guided walking trips begin from the tro-tro station, along the route to the fishing harbour overlooking Boboewusi Island and its lighthouse. The thirty-minute tour follows the street along the beach, back to the tro-tro station overlooking Fort San Antonio. The major features of this tour are the colonial-era buildings, the fishing harbour, Boboewusi Island, the police station, old buildings of the Public Works Department, Paa Grant House, Fort San Antonio and the Beachcomber Bar. The one-hour walk continues to the multi-storey ‘Hwe na ampori’ building, the tallest building in Axim township, and diverts to the District Assembly, the seat of government of the District. The route comes down to the main road and descends to the tro-tro station.

The two-hour tour takes in Awunakrom village and beyond, where the coconut-tree-lined road curves inland and traverses a secondary arm of the Ankobra. This typical African village setting is accentuated by the sight of fish grilling over wood fires, thatched huts, and pirogues going up the Ankobra.

BEACH RECREATION AND RELAXATION – Beach Trekking/Hiking and Sports
The great expanse of sandy beach at Axim provides a good opportunity for beach activities like hiking, soccer, volleyball, sun tanning and swimming (note: some areas of the beach are not safe for swimming). Lovers of physical fitness will also enjoy a walk on the beach.
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BUSUA

HIKING TOUR TO BUTRE - Through Lush Tropical Landscape
From Busua, take an hour’s trek or hike on shaded paths, to Butre. Your tour guide will provide you with information on the vegetation, human activity, names of rivers and streams, and other information you might require. Apart from the health benefits of hiking, this activity offers visitors the opportunity to explore the landscape and countryside of the settlements of Busua and Butre.

On the way to Butre, enjoy an excellent combination of beach experience, nature, physical exercise and beautiful scenery. Start your hike at sunrise, and see the sun emerge from among the clouds in the eastern skies across the sea. Be sure to enjoy or take along a bottle of freshly squeezed fruit juice from the famous juice man on the beach, before you set off: it will come in handy on your tour.

You will hike for about thirty minutes along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, before you finally climb the hills that separate Busua from Butre. At the top of a hill, you can pause for a breathtaking view of the landscape and the countryside, the vegetation, the long sandy beach, the sea roaring down below, and the settlement.

On the tour, you will encounter farmlands, different types of tropical plants (many of which are medicinal), beautiful colourful butterflies, birds and squirrels. As you descend into Butre, your guide will assist you to identify some of the medicinal plants and birds. With some luck, you might hear or even see some of the remaining wild monkeys in the area. After a steep descent you will reach the beautiful rocky ‘coconut beach’ for a short rest. Your guide might climb up a coconut tree to offer you a refreshing drink of fresh coconut juice. This spot offers an excellent view over Butre village and its beach.

Alternatively, you can cycle to Butre by road, using a rented bicycle from a local rental shop. Depending on how often you stop, it is about an hour’s ride through forest, farmlands and remote villages. You will have the opportunity of interacting with some village folk and farmers. Here too you are likely to encounter birds and wild squirrels.

HIKING TOUR TO DIXCOVE - Through Lush Tropical Landscape
From Busua, trek or hike on shaded pathways to Dixcove, in approximately twenty minutes. Your tour guide will provide you with information on the vegetation, human activity, names of rivers and streams, and other information you might require. Apart from the health benefits of hiking, this activity offers visitors the opportunity to explore the landscape and countryside of the settlements of Busua and Dixcove.

From Busua, trek or hike on shaded footpaths to Dixcove, on foot or on a rented bicycle. It is advisable to engage the services of a trained guide. You will find yourself in palm plantations, where you might witness palm wine tapping, and you might be able to sample some palm wine for yourself, if you chance upon the palm wine tapper. The trail leads directly to Fort Metal Cross. There is also the opportunity to experience the traditional activities of the local people, and interact with them.

TRADITIONAL SEA FISHING EXCURSIONS
The more adventurous visitors may undertake a fishing expedition with experienced local fishermen in traditional dugout canoes adorned with colourful flags and powered by outboard motors. Except on Tuesdays when it is traditionally forbidden to go to sea, this can be done daily. On sea you will see the wonderful flying fishes jumping out of the waves in front of the canoe. Between September and December, you might even have the chance of spotting small herds of whales or jumping dolphins. Do feel free to give the fishing crew a helping hand when they draw in their nets.

Another interesting activity, which involves less risk than fishing, is the opportunity for you to join in the triumph as the local fishermen, amidst the singing of local songs to the rhythm of makeshift wooden-topped drums, drag in their nets full of the day’s catch.
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BUTRE

FORT BATENSTEIN AND HISTORIC AND CULTURAL BUTRE
This excursion is a combination of history, culture, nature, daily village life and leisure. Visit the ancient village of Butre. Meet the members of the Town Tourism Development Committee at the tourist registration office, and register for the tour, which includes a local guide. It begins from the parking lot and takes you through parts of the township towards the fort. Don’t be alarmed if your guide takes you through some homes on your way to the bottom of the steep and winding pathway leading to the front of the fort.

Fort Batenstein, which was built in 1650, is currently in ruins but still retains its unique character. Your guide will give you a narration of its history as you tour the various sections. Take some time to experience the spectacular and therapeutic bird’s eye view of Butre town, and the large expanse of sea and sand from the fort. Don’t miss the unique interplay of River Butre, Mambowodindo Lagoon and the sea. As you enjoy the view, your guide will tell you about the history of the town and some myths about rock formations along the beach.

Relax and enjoy fresh coconut juice under the shade of a coconut tree to rehydrate yourself in preparation for your next tour.

On your descent from the fort, stop over at a fishmonger’s, and experience a method of processing fish using a traditional oven. If you are interested, you can purchase some fish for your dinner. Take a leisurely walk through the village high street, observing the local architecture and interacting with the warm and friendly people as they go about their daily activities. If you are lucky, you may chance upon a traditional funeral, naming ceremony or marriage ceremony. Local cuisine can also be arranged, if you register your interest early enough. Round up your tour with a walk on the sandy beach, and admire the canoes anchored at the beach. Feel free to chit-chat with the fishermen mending their net on the shore; they are friendly, you know!

CANOE PADDLING INTO THE WILD - on Butre Lagoon and River
Experience a relaxing yet exciting canoe ride on the Butre lagoon, with trained guides who are also experienced fishermen. You are in perfectly safe hands, but don’t forget to wear your life jacket on the two-hour canoe ride. As you go upstream, enjoy the view of the large trees on stilts, and the winding creek under closed tree canopies. The mangrove forest flanking both sides of the lagoon is home to many wildlife species, including crabs and birds. Your guide will help you identify some of them. The pied kingfish is easy to spot in the mangroves.

Your guide will point out an area on the lagoon designated by the community as fish refugia, and you will have the opportunity to observe diving fingerlings. As you go over deeper waters, you may also be able to spot the few remaining and rather shy crocodiles, and depending on the time of your tour, you may enjoy a spectacular sunrise or sunset.

How about the hands-on experience of producing and sampling fresh palm wine - in local calabashes - after the ride? You can also book to stay with a local family for the weekend and experience their way of life. Don’t miss out on their evening pastime, story-telling by the fireside!

CAPE THREE POINTS

HIKING TO THE LIGHTHOUSE - Monkey Sanctuary and Cape Three Points Settlement
Feel the excitement of hiking on the peninsula, at the southernmost point of Ghana. On arrival at the Cape Three Points Lighthouse (owned and operated by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority), you can take a tour of this facility. Observe the beach to the west towards Princess Town. To the east, the large expanse of the beach stretches to the forested promontory forming the bay at Akwidaa. Take a short trip on the steep path to the rocky beach. Climb to the top of the lighthouse and take a view of nature’s beauty, with the large expanse of lush green forest terminated abruptly by the sandy beach and the sea. Spend some time having a picnic beside the lighthouse.

Trek along the forest trails and try to observe the groups of monkeys in the Sanctuary. Do not be too disappointed if you miss the animals, since it may not be their outing time. On your way back, take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and learn more about the history and traditions of the people of Cape Three Points. Experience a traditional festival or rites like the Kundum, a naming ceremony, puberty rites and funeral ceremonies. Your guide should make the necessary arrangements for you to attend any of the above ceremonies. It would appear rude to walk into a ceremony unannounced.

EMBRACE THE EARTH – Trekking into Cape Three Points Reserve
With the help of a guide, hike into the lush green Cape Three Points Forest Reserve, to explore the rich biodiversity of the tropical rainforest. Depending on your interest, there are optional one- or two-hour walks into the forest reserve. Visitors with interests in botany or the rich variety of tropical trees and shrubs will enjoy the identification of the flora. Herbal plant lovers should have their expectations met through an introduction to various plant medicinal applications. For eco-tourism lovers, the trails and general environment will be pleasing enough to meet your expectations. It is advisable to undertake this tour in the mornings and late evenings to improve your chances of viewing monkeys, birds and butterflies. Take time to rest at selected rest stops in the shades of the trees.

BEACH RECREATION AND RELAXATION – Beach Trekking/Hiking and Sports
The great expanse of sandy beach to the east and west of Cape Three Points settlement provides a good opportunity for beach activities like hiking, soccer, volleyball, and sun tanning. Lovers of physical fitness will enjoy a walk on the beach.

TRADITIONAL SEA FISHING EXPEDITION – Sea Adventure with Local Fisherfolk
In the presence of experienced fisherfolk, undertake a fishing expedition using a dugout canoe with outboard motor in the shallow waters of the sea.
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DIXCOVE

FORT METAL CROSS, HISTORIC AND CULTURAL DIXCOVE
Discover historic Fort Metal Cross, the bustling fishing community, and the fascinating indigenous culture of the people of Dixcove.

Sign up at Fort Metal Cross, for a detailed tour of the fort. You will hear captivating stories of how the fort was built, how it was used, and how it changed hands over time. Your guide will take you through the dungeons and the governor’s chamber, as he tells the story. From the fort’s position on a rocky hill, you will capture the fascinating view and landscape of the old township and the busy fishing harbour filled with colourful canoes. You may also hear about myths and rituals associated with the Kundum festivals.

If you later take a walk through Dixcove town, don’t be overwhelmed by the smell of fish, since fishing and fish processing are the main activities of the people. At the harbour, you may see different species of fish, ranging from herrings to sharks. There are quite a lot of hangouts and small bars that you can stop at to quench your thirst. The legendary Jerry Garcia bar (Free Mind Spot) is highly recommended.

MIAMIA

DISCOVER NATURE – Trekking to the Forested Hills and the Egyambra Crocodile Pond
Explore the rich biodiversity of the lush green-forested hills on the promontories. Hike on the trails and discover the rich variety of tropical plants and shrubs, identified and marked for easy recognition by the visitor. As you enjoy the general eco-system, you will have chances of viewing monkeys, birds and butterflies, especially in the early morning and late evenings. Take a rest under the shaded trees and relax on the chairs provided at the rest stops. Depending on your interest and discretionary time, the visitor can an hour or two exploring nature in the forested hills of Miamia.

VISIT TO EGYAMBRA CROCODILE POND
Nearby, to the east, is the settlement of Egyambra, famous for its Crocodile Pond, where a local priest entices a crocodile from the water with a bottle of Coca-Cola, and feeds it with a live fowl. Contact the Miamia Town Tourism Development Committee for a guided tour to the Egyambra Crocodile Pond and the Egyambra village.

BE IN HARMONY WITH THE PEOPLE - Learn About and Experience the Culture of the People of Miamia
Feel the enticing tempo of village life as your guide brings you in touch with the daily lives of the Miamia people. Take a trip around the Miamia settlement, and you might be able to watch a traditional funeral rite, a naming ceremony, a traditional festival, some treasured dances, and other sacred rituals. Taste the traditional ‘Yaka Yu aka’ or ‘Atuku’, fufu, or gari with fish and vegetable soup, at the local eating places popularly called ‘chop bars’. Your guide will make this tour more exciting by pre-arranging the visit and narrating to you the history and culture of the people of Miamia, and their present realities and aspirations. Like others throughout Ghana, this community is hospitable.

SPORT FISHING AND EXPEDITION – Fishing expedition with Local Fisherfolk
In the presence of experienced fisherfolk, undertake a fishing expedition using a dugout canoe with outboard motor in the shallow waters of the sea.
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